description Southern Right Whale Overview
The southern right whale is a large baleen whale species that inhabits the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, migrating between offshore feeding grounds and sheltered coastal waters for breeding. Like other right whales, it lacks a dorsal fin and possesses distinct patches of hardened skin called callosities on its head. Following severe depletion by historical commercial whaling, populations have experienced significant recovery, currently numbering around 10,000 mature individuals.
help Southern Right Whale FAQ
Where does the Southern Right Whale live?
The southern right whale is a large baleen whale species that inhabits the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere. They migrate between offshore feeding grounds in the sub-Antarctic and sheltered coastal waters for breeding.
How do you identify a Southern Right Whale?
Like other right whales, it completely lacks a dorsal fin on its back. It also possesses distinct patches of hardened skin on its head called callosities, which are uniquely colored by parasitic whale lice.
Why are they called 'right' whales?
They were given this name by historic commercial whalers who considered them the "right" whales to hunt. They were slow-moving, floated when killed, and yielded massive amounts of blubber and oil, which tragically decimated their populations.
Where do Southern Right Whales go to breed?
They travel to warmer, shallow coastal waters to give birth and raise their calves. Prominent breeding and calving grounds include the coastal waters off Argentina, South Africa, and southern Australia.
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